Delhi Gang Rape: Thousands Mourn Victim's Death [STRIKING IMAGES]

Thousands of people have rallied in the Indian capital of New Delhi to mourn the death of an unnamed 23-year-old gang rape victim in a Singapore hospital.

Peaceful protesters hit the streets of New Delhi in shock, raising slogans as police forces maintained a strict vigil. People turned out in large numbers despite police sealing off many areas and closing down metro services, the lifeline of Delhi. Hundreds of demonstrators held candlelit vigils in many parts of India, including the country's financial capital Mumbai.

New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit faced the wrath of protesters and was prevented from taking part in the mourning but she lit a candle before leaving a protest venue.

Along with opposition and activist groups, many students participated in marches demanding stricter laws to tackle violence against women. "This is a moment of national grief. This is also a moment of national shame. We, as a nation, have failed to provide conditions in which women can lead a normal life without being subjected to indignities. We, as a society, have failed to evolve a culture of respect and equality for women," said Arvind Kejriwal, the head of the recently formed political party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an offshoot of the anti-corruption movement.

The AAP added: "This event and the subsequent developments have no doubt generated widespread outrage and justified anger. But today we must convert this into a positive resolve. Let us all resolve that we shall convert this moment into a movement to end all forms of violence against women. Let 'No Violence against Women' be out national new year's resolution."

A student group has also announced that it will hold a night vigil on New Year's Eve at the exact place where the female student was brutally raped by half a dozen men.

The victim's body is expected to be flown back to India from Singapore in the next few hours.

The prosecution is being fast-tracked so that the perpetrators are punished quickly. "The autopsy is being conducted by a Singaporean team. The report will be made available at the earliest and we hope to file the charge sheet by 3 January 2013. Section 302 which is the penal code for murder has been added.... a prosecutor of eminence has been appointed to fast track the case on a day-to-day basis," said Delhi's Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dharmendra Kumar.

A tearful protester holds a placard at a demonstration held in Mumbai to mourn the death of a young woman who was brutally raped in New DelhiReutersSchoolgirls express outrage at victim's fateReutersA demonstrator shouts at police officers as she takes part in a demonstration to mourn the death of a rape victim who was assaulted in New Delhi, in MumbaiReutersCandle is seen on a placard during a protest in New DelhiReutersDelhi Gang Rape: ‘I Doubt If This Is A Case Of Suicide’ Says Defence CounselReutersDemonstrators lie on a road during a protest in New DelhiReutersDelhi's CM Dixit is escorted by security personnel after she was blocked by demonstrators while entering the venue for the ongoing protests in New DelhiReutersDemonstrators lie on a road during a protest in New DelhiReutersJ S Verma committee report Submitted On WednesdayReutersPeople shout slogans and hold placards during a protest in New DelhiReutersProtester with gags tied around his mouth and forehead, takes part in a demonstration to mourn the death of a rape victim, who was assaulted in New Delhi, in MumbaiReutersDemonstrators paste pamphlets on the billboard of a bus stop during a protest march in New DelhiReutersOnlookers stand next to a flyover as they listen to a speaker during a protest in New DelhiReutersDelhi Gang Rape Case: Five Prosecution Witness to Testify Against Accused on TuesdayReutersPolice officers patrol a closed road leading to the India Gate in New DelhiReutersA member of the Rapid Action Force pulls a barricade to close a road leading to the India Gate in New DelhiReuters